Guwahati, Dec 27: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday expressed concerns over changes in the state’s demographic composition, citing data from the 2011 Census. Speaking at the Assam State BJP Executive Meeting at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, Sarma noted that Muslims constituted around 34% of Assam’s population in 2011, and after excluding about 3% Assamese Muslims, Bangladesh-origin Muslims accounted for approximately 31%.

With the 2021 Census delayed, Sarma projected that the Bangladesh-origin Muslim population could approach 40% by the 2027 Census. He linked the increase to past political policies and highlighted potential implications for Assam’s social and cultural identity.

Sarma also stressed the importance of preserving Assam’s cultural heritage, referencing figures like Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva and Madhabdev, and urged focusing on historical events such as Ahom general Lachit Borphukan’s victory over the Mughals.